BOATING ACCIDENT OFF PONSONBY WHARF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10985, 13 February 1899, Page 5

BOATING ACCIDENT OFF PONSONBY WHARF.

DEATH OF MR. ALTER JACKMAN. A lamkntaiilr boating accident occurred last evening, about seven o'clock, off Ponsonby Wharf, which ultimately resulted in the death of Mr. Walter Jackman. of Franklin Road, Ponsonby. From the statements made it appears that Messrs. Walter Jackman* Arthur Richards, and James and Osborne Harnden (the two latter youths of 15 and 16 years of age), all residing in Johnstreet, Ponsonby, save Mr. Jackman, went out yesterday fishing in the harbour, off the Sugar Works, in a 15ft open at. In the evening they set sail for I'onsimbj Wharf, and about seven o'clock, while Hearing the wharf, a gust of wind caused the sail to jibe, and the boom being a long one, and difficult to handle, the boat capasized, and the occupants were thrown into the water. Jas. Harnden was the only (me who could swim, and he struck out for the shore, whore he, with the assistance of Mr. Masefield, who happened to be on the beach, got a boat and picked up Jackman, who was in a state of great exhaustion. Mr. Leslie Stewart, who noticed the accident, went and got another boat on the beach, but found she had no paddles. He pushed her out and swam along with her till lie reached young Osborne Harnden and Arthur Richards, and picked them up and brought them ashore. In the meantime Jackman was carried to Mr. Kirker's boatshed, ami Dr. Moir telephoned for and subsequently Dr. Bedford. In the meantime Messrs. Masefield. Kirker, Furby, Cummings. and others did their best to resuscitate Jackman, and Dr. Moir, who was early on the spot, and also Dr. Bedford, attended to him for some time. He was then taken to the hospital in the ambulance, by Dr. Moir, accompanied by Mr. Cummings, but on arrival at, and admission to. the hospital, it was discovered that the unfortunate man was dead. The body was left at the hospital, to await the usual coroner's inquest, which, no doubt will be held by Dr. Philson. coroner, to-day. It appears that some of the occupants or the boat were unacquainted with the handling of ,- boat, but it is not known whether this contributed in any way to the lamentable misadventure. Constable Luke Macdonncll, of the Ponsonby police station, who was early on the scene, had the painful duty of calling at Mr. Jaekman's home, and breaking the sad news of his death to his wife.